Part B: Request for Comments and Information

Governments and interested international organizations wishing to submit comments on the following matters are invited to do so before 1 October 2001 as follows: Mr. E.F.F. Hecker, Chairman of the Committee, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, P.O. Box 20401, 2500 EK The Hague, The Netherlands (telefax No. 31.70.378.6141; [email protected]), with a copy to the Secretary, Codex Alimentarius Commission, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy.

1. Draft Food Additive Provisions in Table 1 of the Codex General Standard for Food Additives at Step 6 (para. 65 and Appendix IV).

The Committee agreed that several maximum levels for food additives in specific food categories be held at Step 6 for additional comment and consideration at the 34^th CCFAC.

2. Discussion Paper on Processing Aids (para. 71).

The Committee agreed that comments would be requested on document CX/FAC 01/10 for consideration by the drafting group.

3. Codex INS Number 452 (iv) for Sodium Potassium Tripolyphosphate (para. 99 and Appendix IX).

The Committee agreed to circulate INS Number 452 (iv) for Sodium Potassium Tripolyphosphate as an emulsifier, stabilizer, acidity regulator, raising agent, sequesterant and water retention agent at Step 3 of the Accelerated Procedure, subject to the approval of the Commission.

4. Codex International Numbering System for Food Additives (paras. 96 - 99).

The Committee agreed to request comments on the following issues related to the Codex International Numbering System for Food Additives:

• Harmonization of terms used by JECFA and the CCFAC in the Codex INS System in regard to technological functions and functional class/sub-classes;
• Consideration of “combination” additives within the Codex INS System;
• Consideration of the need for three different Codex INS Numbers for Mineral Oil, Food Grade, and;
• Additional revisions to the Codex INS System.

5. Draft Maximum Level for Lead in Butter (para. 159).

The Committee agreed to request comments on the necessity of a maximum level for lead in butter.

6. Draft Maximum Levels for Lead in Fish, Crustaceans and Bivalve Molluscs (para. 162 and Appendix XIV).

The Committee agreed to return the draft maximum levels for lead in fish, crustaceans and bivalve molluscs for additional comments at Step 6.

7. Proposed Draft Maximum Levels for Cadmium in Liver (Cattle, Poultry, Pig and Sheep), Kidney (Cattle, Poultry, Pig and Sheep) and Molluscs (para. 170).

The Committee returned the proposed draft Maximum Levels for Cadmium in Liver (Cattle, Poultry, Pig and Sheep) (0.5 mg/kg), Kidney (Cattle, Poultry, Pig and Sheep) (1.0 mg/kg) and Molluscs (1.0 mg/kg) to Step 3 for circulation, comments and further consideration at its next Session.

8. Information on Methods of Analysis for Dioxins and Dioxin Like PCBs (para. 176).

The Committee requested delegations to submit all available information on methods of analysis for dioxins and dioxin like PCBs in foods and feedingstuffs to the delegation of the Netherlands.

9. Priority List of Food Additives, Contaminants and Naturally Occurring Toxicants Proposed for Evaluation by JECFA (para. 187 and Appendix XVI).

The Committee agreed to request additional comments for additions or amendments to its Priority List for consideration at its next Session.

10. Methods of Sampling (para. 194).

The JECFA Secretariat drew the attention of the Committee to adequate sampling plans in addition to methods of analysis, and invited member countries to provide relevant information on sampling.